For the Record

Published 9:14 pm, Sunday, December 21, 2014

For the latest events and activities happening in Greenwich, turn to For the Record. To have your event included, submit a description, date and time, and contact information. Photos are welcome. Drop me an email about your latest goings-on at bbind@scni.com

-- Barbara Bind

Reindeer Festival, Santa's Workshop

Santa and four live reindeer are at McArdle's Florist and Garden Center, 48 Arch St., for the annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival and Santa's Workshop, through Dec. 24. Photos with Santa are offered Monday through Friday, noon to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Santa will remain at McArdle's until 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Reindeer feedings take place daily at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The reindeer will be at McArdle's through Dec. 23. There will be a Kids in Crisis Giving Tree for donations. For information, visit www.GreenwichReindeerFestival.com.

`The nurse is in'

A nurse will be on site to take blood pressure readings and answer health questions on Mondays, Dec. 22 and Dec. 29, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Greenwich Library Health Information Center, 101 West Putnam Ave. and on Tuesdays, Dec. 23 and Dec. 30, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Greenwich Hospital Cafeteria Atrium, 5 Perryridge Road. This free service is sponsored by Community Health at Greenwich Hospital. For information, call 203-863-4444.

Second Congregational Church, 139 East Putnam Ave., invites the community to three diverse Christmas Eve worship services that together will feature choral singing, a pageant, lessons and candle lighting. A Family Service will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., featuring music performed by the church's Youth Choir, directed by Music Educator Lisbeth Lloyd, as well as a children's pageant, written by Alexander Constantine, director of music, and Jessica Stanciu, director of children's ministries. Child care will be available, although children are welcome at the service. From 8 to 9 p.m., a Festival Service will be held, featuring The Chancel Choir with carols, candle lighting, and a reflection by the Rev. Maxwell Grant, senior minister. From 11:15 p.m. to midnight, a Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols take place. This quiet, meditative service will be held in a darkened sanctuary and will include Communion, candle lighting, carols and a brief sermon. It will close with the singing of "Silent Night" under the night sky. For more information, contact Gloria LaDestro at 203-869-9311, ext. 20 or gloria@2cc.org., or visit www.2cc.org.

On Thursday, Dec. 25 from 1 to 4 p.m., Greenwich Reform Synagogue is holding a Holiday Open House at a private GRS home. All are welcome to come and enjoy Chinese food and movies with friends. There will be separate movies for kids and adults. All are welcome. For location details and to RSVP, contact GRS at 203-629-0018 or info@grs.org.

Connect with nature at exhibit

The Flinn Gallery at the Greenwich Library, 101 West Putnam Ave., is hosting an exhibit, "Reconnecting with Nature, " through Jan. 21. The exhibit features four artists using different media: Curators for this exhibit are Kirsten Pitts, Dianne Niklaus and Joanne O'Neil. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Thursdays until 8 p.m. and Sundays, from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, call 203-622-7947.

Art Society holds holiday exhibit

The Art Society of Old Greenwich is holding its 2014 Holiday Art Show through Sunday, Dec. 28, at the YWCA of Greenwich's Gertrude White Gallery, 259 East Putnam Ave. On display and for sale will be works by ASOG member artists in a variety of media, many priced under $300. For gallery hours, call the YWCA at 203-869-6501.

On Monday, Dec. 29, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Greenwich Hospital, 5 Perryridge Road, will hold a free post-treatment Breast Cancer Support Group led by a cancer counselor. An initial consultation is required for this group, which is held for patients in the post-treatment phase of breast cancer. To register, call 203-863-3704.

View birds at Greenwich Point

On Sunday, Jan. 4, at 9 a.m., the Bruce Museum, Audubon Greenwich and Wild Wings will host First Sunday Bird Walk at Greenwich Point Park. View birds in their habitats during a leisurely two-mile walk; bring binoculars. Meet at main concession stand in Greenwich Point Park Museum. Free. For more information, call 203-413-6756.

Author to discuss novel inspired by Downton Abbey

To coincide with the season 5 premiere of Downton Abbey on PBS, JCC Greenwich will host author Wendy Wax at The Drawing Room, 5 Suburban Ave., on Jan. 7 at 10 a.m. Wax will discuss her novel, "While We Were Watching Downton Abbey," a story of unlikely friendships sparked by the camaraderie of Downton Abbey viewing parties. Books will be available for purchase. Tickets are $18. To register, call 203-552-1818 or online at jccgreenwich.org.